CHARGERS NOTES: Mathews still optimistic about returning for opener

SAN DIEGO ---- Ryan Mathews has a pair of wires on either side of his surgically repaired right clavicle. They attach to a bone stimulator designed to facilitate repair and accelerate recovery. He's supposed to use it every day, but the Chargers running back never takes them off.

"She said that I can use it more often than recommended, so I leave these things on all the time," Mathews said. "Anything I can do to speed up the process."

Mathews can't wait to get back on the field again and, despite medical opinions that state he'll be out for six weeks, he's determined to be ready in four for the season opener Sept. 10 at Oakland.

"I'm definitely ahead of schedule," Mathews said. "I've always been a fast healer, and that's proving true right now. My range of motion is improving and I'm feeling really good. I've been staying upbeat about an unfortunate situation, and everything I do right now is about getting healthy. Honestly, I can't wait to get back on the field."

Such enthusiasm must be tempered over concerns of re-injury. That can happen to such a sensitive bone while playing a violent sport, and Mathews understands that.

"I am glad that I have a training staff that won't let me push things too far," Mathews said. "If I didn't, I'd be doing everything right now. I have such high expectations for myself and for this team. I want to contribute and help us succeed. I'm so excited about what we can do."

The Chargers' running attack hasn't fared well in Mathews' absence. The Chargers are last in preseason rushing, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry. Extenuating factors play into that, including a banged up offensive line and light loads for the most important backs, but that number isn't good and the Chargers know it.

"There are positive things when you look at the tape, but we know we have to be better," Chargers fullback Le'Ron McClain said. "Running the football is about individuals winning 1-on-1 battles. We're not doing enough of that, but our confidence remains high. We need to get better before the regular season. I'm confident that we will."

Cut day coming

The Chargers will make cut down to 75 players on Monday. Players will be informed in the morning, before the team starts its day preparing for Thursday's exhibition finale against San Francisco. Thirteen players will be cut.

"You can't let it affect your work," rookie running back Edwin Baker said. "You should only focus on what you can control. Everything else is just noise. If you've worked hard, then you have to be proud of the body of work you've presented."

Ingram out, not worried

The Chargers got a piece of positive injury news for once this preseason. Rookie outside linebacker Melvin Ingram suffered a deep thigh bruise on Friday against Minnesota and, while he missed practice Sunday, it isn't considered serious and shouldn't keep Ingram out for long.

"It's what it looked like it was when he came off the field," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "He's a tough guy, and hopefully he'll be able to come back and play in this game on Thursday."

Turner praises O-Line

Although the Chargers' offensive line, which played without three starters from left tackle to center against the Vikings, allowed six sacks, just 2.7 yards per carry and was routinely penalized, the group earned praise from Turner.

"This may sound crazy, but I was really impressed with the physical style and the physical skills our offensive linemen played with," Turner said. "We didn't play very well together and we have a lot of guys we have to get on the same page, but there were some good performances. That's a starting point. We can get them understanding what they're doing and they will make strides."

Turner said the majority of the line's problems had to do with unfamiliarity.

"They need to play together," Turner said. "I'm not sure some of the linemen know each other's first name. They go by last names a lot. They need to transfer the things we do in practice to a preseason game. That was as severe a test as you could have. They were on the road, with crowd noise and an amped up defensive front with excellent pass rushers. It was a blitzfest. Every down had somebody coming.

"We need to get those starting guys in there, but the young guys will be asked to contribute at some point during the year and they need to be ready."